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{{Template shortcut|dmy|DMY}}
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=== Usage ===
Place this template near the top of articles that use the <code>dd mmm yyyy</code> date format; see [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lead section]] for more information about the order of elements near the beginning of the article.
Wikipedia articles that use <code>dd mmm yyyy</code> dates, either because of the [[WP:RETAIN|first main contributor]] rule or [[WP:TIES|close national ties]] (see [[Wikipedia:MOSNUM|MOSNUM]]), are systematically tagged with {{Tl|Use dmy dates}} over time. The template is invisible except in edit mode.
The template is useful to the editors to quickly know which date format is to be used when adding new dates into an article. It also facilitates article maintenance by enabling [[WP:bots|bots]] to recognise use of this format, and by adding the article to the [[WP:hidden category|hidden category]] [[:Category:Use dmy dates|Use dmy dates]].
'''Use of this template is part of a continuing effort to monitor the date formats used in articles, to assist in maintaining consistent formatting within an article. It is ''not'' a temporary "cleanup" template. Therefore, do not remove the template without valid reason, such as a determination the article uses or should use a different date format.'''
After being tagged, and bearing in mind article evolution, periodic script or bot runs clean up formats, correcting any new introductions since its last visit, and updating the visit date on the {{Tl|Use dmy dates}} template.
The dmy and mdy templates have almost always been used to indicate date styles in the body of the articles; although it ''may'' also indicate the flavour of dates in reference sections or parts thereof. Therefore, this template notice ought to be read in conjunction with the blurb at [[Wikipedia:Date formattings]]. [[User:Ohconfucius/script/MOSNUM dates|MOSNUM script documentation]] may also be relevant to those interested.
In general, the date format used for ''publication dates'' within references should match that used within the article body. However, it is common practice for ''archive'' and ''access'' dates to use the alternative ymd format. This usage is valid and is specifically mentioned at [[Wikipedia:MOSDATE#Consistency|MOSDATE]]. In those cases, the archive and access date formats should ''not'' be altered when fixing dates.
=== Syntax ===
{{Tlx|Use dmy dates|date{{=}}{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}}}
=== TemplateData ===
{{TemplateDataHeader}}
<TemplateData>
{
"description": "This template should be placed near the top of articles that use the dd mmm yyyy date format.",
"params": {
"date": {
"label": "Date",
"description": "The month and year that the article was last checked for inconsistent date formatting. Example: 'June 2013'; may use '{{subst:DATE}}' template instead",
"type": "string",
"required": false
}
}
}
</TemplateData>
=== Wrongly tagged? ===
If, for example, you determine that an article has a template that is inappropriate for [[WP:TIES|its nationality]], you should substitute the appropriate template to avoid scripts or bots reapplying the "wrong" format in the course of maintenance.
=== See also ===
* {{Tl|Use mdy dates}}, for the <code>mmm dd, yyyy</code> format
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[[Category:Time and date maintenance templates]]
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